Policy Writing in Child Welfare Services

Level: Advanced Practice

Credits: 6 hours

Intended Audience: Policy staff in child welfare agencies

Description of Course: This class will provide an overview of child welfare policy writing, including definitions of policy, procedures, practice and process; the context of policy writing in the larger agency; policy cycles; processes to carry out successful policy writing and implementation; and principles and frameworks to utilize to write policy effectively and achieve compliance in practice. The intersection with agency mission, leadership, culture, and readiness for change will also be discussed. Lecture, group discussion, power point, and exercises will be used during this class.

Intended Objectives:

• Discuss policy in the larger social policy context as well as in the context of the child welfare organization.
• Identify definitions of policy, practice, process, and procedures along with other relevant terms and the role and interrelationship of each.
• Review and discuss policy cycles.
• Presentation and application of writing formats, including practice, about the elements, framework, and processes to achieve compliance and successful implementation of policy.
• Discussion of organizational processes that is necessary for successful policy compliance.
• Elements of policy writing will be reviewed.

Topics Include:

• The role of policy in society/government and in organizations
• The intersection and context of policy with culture, values, mission/vision, leadership, strategic planning, procedures, processes, and practice
• Elements of successful policy writing
• Policy and procedures cycles
• Definitions of policy, process, practice, procedures, and other relevant terms
• The role of the policy analyst vis a vis leadership, operations, and implementation
• Principles of effective policy writing
• Achieving compliance with policy
• Simple policy writing structural elements